Environmental office hosts hazardous waste turn-in Published Aug. 19, 2013 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Part of Keesler's commitment to responsible environmental stewardship involves the proper disposal of household hazardous waste and personal electronic devices. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 29, the base's environmental office plans a turn-in day for free disposal of selected items, according to Aaron Carter, Keesler's hazardous and solid waste manager. The collection site is the Bay Breeze Event Center parking lot. "We encourage participation from military housing and dormitory residents, as well as base employees and retirees from around the community," Carter said. Hazardous waste includes flammable, corrosive, toxic, poisonous or reactive substances. "Look for words like 'caution,' 'warning' or 'danger' on container labels," Carter suggested. "Check all of those 'out of sight - out of mind' storage places." Common household hazardous waste items include paints, solvents, lawn care chemicals, household cleaning materials, maintenance products, pool chemicals, hobby supplies, automotive products, batteries, thermometers, lead solder and fluorescent lights. Personal electronics include personal computers, laptops, PDAs, cell phones, radios, telephones and televisions. "Remove all batteries from the articles," Carter advised. "Ensure that all personal data is removed from the electronic items prior to disposal - we can't be responsible for any data left on the machines." Items that won't be accepted at the collection site include containers larger than five gallons, radioactive waste, needles, syringes, medical waste, ammunition, explosive materials, waste generated by any business or base work areas and "white goods" such as stoves and refrigerators. For more information, call the base hazardous waste management office, 228-377-5802, or the environmental management office, 377-1262.